Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus includes a communication unit that transmits/receives data to and from an external device; a detection unit that detects communication connection with the external device by the communication unit; an operation input unit that accepts an operation input; a command allocation unit that, when the detection unit detects communication connection with the external device, allocates a data transmission command with respect to a one-click operation to a symbol corresponding to a data storage place to be displayed on a display unit, which is accepted by the operation input unit; and a control unit that, when the operation input unit accepts the one-click operation to the symbol, in case the data transmission command is allocated with respect to the one-click operation, controls so that the communication unit transmits data stored in the data storage place corresponding to the symbol to the external device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. JP 2007-094819, filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Mar. 30,2007, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an information processing apparatus, aninformation processing method, and an information processing programwhich are desirably applied to a case when transmitting/receiving databetween apparatuses.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are widely diffused information processing apparatuses (forexample, personal computers, audio components, etc.) which store musicdata ripped from a CD or music data downloaded from a music deliveryserver in a mass-memory unit such as a hard disc, and make the userlisten to music by reading out and reproducing arbitrary music data fromthe mass-memory unit.

Furthermore, most of those personal computers and audio components ofthese types can transfer arbitrary music data to an external device (forexample, portable audio player) which is connected for communicationthereto through an interface such as a USB.

Then, the portable audio player makes the user listen to music, forexample, with the player main body taken along by the user, by storingmusic data transferred from the personal computer or audio component ina storage unit such as a flash memory, and reading out and reproducingarbitrary music data from the storage unit.

On the other hand, when transferring music data from an informationprocessing apparatus such as the personal computer to an external devicesuch as the portable audio player, it is desirable that music datadesired by the user be easily transferred to the external device fromamong music data stored in a mass-memory unit of the informationprocessing apparatus.

Accordingly, there has been suggested an information processingapparatus that, when detecting communication connection with an externaldevice, automatically transfers music data selected based on apredetermined condition from among music data stored in a mass-memoryunit to an external device (see, for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. Laid-OpenPublication No. 2001-175624 (FIG. 57)).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Meanwhile, in the above-described information processing apparatus,since music data is transferred by only connecting an external devicethereto through, for example, a communication cable, while music datacan be easily transferred, music data which is selected based on apredetermined condition is transferred to the external device.Accordingly, it is difficult to say that music data desired by the usercan be transferred to an external device, and, accordingly, it isdifficult to easily transfer music data desired by the user to anexternal device.

In view of the above-identified circumstances, it is therefore desirableto provide an information processing apparatus, an informationprocessing method, and an information processing program which cantransfer desired data easily.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is providedan information processing apparatus including: a communication unit thattransmits/receives data to and from an external device; a detection unitthat detects communication connection with the external device by thecommunication unit; an operation input unit that accepts an operationinput; a command allocation unit that, when the detection unit detectscommunication connection with the external device, allocates a datatransmission command with respect to a one-click operation to a symbolcorresponding to a data storage place to be displayed on a display unit,which is accepted by the operation input unit; and a control unit that,when the operation input unit accepts the one-click operation to thesymbol, in case the data transmission command is allocated with respectto the one-click operation, controls so that the communication unittransmits data stored in the data storage place corresponding to thesymbol to the external device.

Accordingly, by only performing a one-click operation to a symbolcorresponding to an arbitrary data storage place, the informationprocessing apparatus can transmit data desired by the user which isstored in the arbitrary data storage place to an external device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is alsoprovided an information processing apparatus including: a radiocommunication unit that transmits/receives data by radio to and fromexternal devices; a detection unit that can transmit/receive data to andfrom the radio communication unit, and detects the closest externaldevice; an operation input unit that accepts an operation input; acontrol unit that, in a state in which the external device is detectedby the detection unit, when the operation input unit accepts anoperation to a symbol corresponding to a data storage place displayed ona display unit, controls so that the radio communication unit transmitsdata stored in the data storage place corresponding to the symbol to thedetected external device.

Accordingly, by only performing an operation to a symbol correspondingto an arbitrary data storage place, the information processing apparatuscan transmit data desired by the user which is stored in the arbitrarydata storage place to the closest external device by radio.

According to the present invention, it becomes possible to realize aninformation processing apparatus, an information processing method, andan information processing program which can transfer desired dataeasily.

The nature, principle and utility of the invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts aredesignated by like reference numerals or characters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram indicative of the functional configurationof an information processing apparatus according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view indicative of the configuration of a datatransfer system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram indicative of the functional configurationof a data storage reproduction apparatus according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view indicative of the configuration of a GUIscreen at the time of non-connection;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view to explain the operation ofdouble-clicking a folder icon;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view indicative of the configuration of afolder window;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view indicative of the configuration of a GUIscreen at the time of connection;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view to explain the operation of one-clicking afolder icon;

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram indicative of the functional configurationof a portable type storage reproduction apparatus according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart indicative of the data transfer processingprocedure in the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart indicative of the data transmission/receptionprocessing procedure in the second embodiment;

FIG. 12 shows a block diagram indicative of the functional configurationof an information processing apparatus according to the thirdembodiment;

FIG. 13 shows a schematic view indicative of the configuration of a datatransfer system according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 14 shows a block diagram indicative of the functional configurationof a data storage reproduction apparatus according to the thirdembodiment;

FIG. 15 shows a schematic view indicative of the configuration of a GUIscreen;

FIG. 16 shows a schematic view to explain a state in which a folder iconis specified;

FIG. 17 shows a block diagram indicative of the functional configurationof a portable type storage reproduction apparatus according to the thirdembodiment;

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart indicative of the data transfer processingprocedure in the third embodiment;

FIG. 19 shows a block diagram indicative of the hardware configurationof a data storage reproduction apparatus according to the fourthembodiment;

FIG. 20 shows a block diagram indicative of the hardware configurationof a portable type storage reproduction apparatus according to thefourth embodiment; and

FIG. 21 shows a flowchart indicative of the data transmission/receptionprocessing procedure in another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now, embodiments of the present invention will be described in greaterdetail by referring to the accompanying drawings.

(1) First Embodiment

(1-1) General Outline of the First Embodiment

Firstly, general outline of the first embodiment will be explained.After explaining the general outline, a specific example of the firstembodiment will be explained.

In FIG. 1, a reference numeral “1” represents a functional block of aninformation processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus 1includes a communication unit 2 that transmits/receives data to and froman external device, a detection unit 3 that detects communicationconnection with the external device by the communication unit 2, anoperation input unit 4 that accepts an operation input, a commandallocation unit 5 that, when the detection unit 3 detects communicationconnection with the external device, allocates a data transmissioncommand with respect to a one-click operation to a symbol correspondingto a data storage place to be displayed on a display unit, which isaccepted by the operation input unit 4, and a control unit 6 that, whenthe operation input unit 4 accepts the one-click operation to thesymbol, in case the data transmission command is allocated with respectto the one-click operation, controls so that the communication unit 2transmits data stored in the data storage place corresponding to thesymbol to the external device.

Under the above-described configuration, the information processingapparatus 1 can transmit data desired by the user stored in an arbitrarydata storage place to the external device by only the one-clickoperation to the symbol corresponding to the arbitrary data storageplace. Thus, it is possible to transfer desired data easily.

(1-2) Specific Example of the First Embodiment

(1-2-1) Configuration of Data Transfer System

Next, a specific example of the first embodiment will be explained. InFIG. 2, a reference numeral “10” represents a data transfer system. Thedata transfer system 10 includes a data storage reproduction apparatus11 provided with the function of storing and reproducing data (forexample, music data), and a data storage reproduction apparatus ofportable type (also referred to as portable type storage reproductionapparatus) 12 provided with the function of storing and reproducingmusic data, and the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 and portabletype storage reproduction apparatus 12 are connected for communicationwith each other through a communication cable 13. The data storagereproduction apparatus 11 of the data transfer system 10 is the specificexample of the above-described information processing apparatus 1.

The data storage reproduction apparatus 11 has a display unit providedwith a touch panel (also referred to as touch-panel-attached displayunit) 14, and when the user touches the screen of thetouch-panel-attached display unit 14 to touch the touch panel, thistouching operation is accepted as an operation input to be converted tovarious commands.

Then, the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 stores music dataripped from a CD or music data downloaded from a music delivery server,not shown, on a network NT in a built-in storage unit according to theoperation input by the user through the touch-panel-attached displayunit 14. Furthermore, the data storage reproduction apparatus 11reproduces arbitrary music data of music data thus stored in thebuilt-in storage unit according to the operation input by the userthrough the touch-panel-attached display unit 14.

Furthermore, when it is designated that arbitrary music data of musicdata stored in the storage unit is transferred to the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus 12 by an operation input from the userthrough the touch-panel-attached display unit 14, accordingly, the datastorage reproduction apparatus 11 reads out specified music data fromthe storage unit, and transmits thus read out music data to the portabletype storage reproduction apparatus 12 through the communication cable13.

On the other hand, the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12stores music data transferred from the data storage reproductionapparatus 11 through the communication cable 13 in a built-in storageunit, not shown. Then, when the communication cable 13 is removed and itis designated that arbitrary music data is reproduced by the user withthe portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 taken along by theuser, accordingly, the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12reads out and reproduces music data from the storage unit.

In this way, in the data transfer system 10, according to the operationinput through the touch-panel-attached display unit 14 of the datastorage reproduction apparatus 11, the data storage reproductionapparatus 11 transfers arbitrary music data of stored music data to theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12.

(1-2-2) Functional Configuration of Data Storage Reproduction Apparatusand Portable Type Storage Reproduction Apparatus

Next, the functional configuration of the data storage reproductionapparatus 11 and the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12will be explained. Firstly, referring to FIG. 3, the functionalconfiguration of the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 will beexplained. In the data storage reproduction apparatus 11, a control unit20 totally controls respective units.

Specifically, the control unit 20 accepts an operation input through atouch panel 14A of the touch-panel-attached display unit 14 from anoperation input unit 21. For example, in case the operation inputaccepted from the operation input unit 21 is an operation input to whicha command to rip music data from a CD is allocated by a commandallocation unit 22, the control unit 20 sends the command to a CDripping unit 23.

The CD ripping unit 23 reads out music data from an inserted CD, andobtains ripping music data by performing predetermined rippingprocessing such as conversion processing of data format for the musicdata, and stores the ripping music data in a storage unit 24. Actually,in the storage unit 24, folders which are data storage places aregenerated, and, for example, the CD ripping unit 23 stores the rippingmusic data in the storage unit 24 by storing the ripping music data in afolder specified by the user. This folder is generated in the storageunit 24 or deleted from the storage unit 24 by the control unit 20 basedon an operation input by the user.

Furthermore, at this time, based on the TOC (Table of Contents)information of a CD, the CD ripping unit 23 obtains information (alsoreferred to as related information) such as recorded album name, tunename, artist name, genre, reproduction time period, tune ID etc. of theripping music data from, for example, a related information deliveryserver, not shown, on a network NT which is connected for communicationthereto through a network connection unit 25A of a communication unit25, and stores the related information in the storage unit 24 togetherwith the ripping music data.

Furthermore, for example, in case the operation input accepted throughthe operation input unit 21 from the touch panel 14A is an operationinput to which a command to download arbitrary music data from a musicdelivery server on a network NT is allocated, accordingly, the controlunit 20 transmits a delivery request for specified music data to a musicdelivery server, not shown, which is connected for communication theretothrough the network connection unit 25A of the communication unit 25. Asa result, when music data is transmitted from the music delivery server,the control unit 20 receives the music data from the network connectionunit 25A, and stores thus received music data in a folder of the storageunit 24 which is specified by the user. It is assumed that the relatedinformation has been attached to the music data which is delivered fromthe music delivery server in advance.

In this way, the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 stores the musicdata ripped from the CD and music data downloaded from the musicdelivery server in the storage unit 24 by storing the music data in afolder specified by the user.

Furthermore, the control unit 20 shifts part or all of the music datathus stored in a folder to another folder or a newly generated folderbased on an operation input by the user.

Furthermore, for example, in case the operation input accepted throughthe operation input unit 21 from the touch panel 14A is an operationinput to which a command to reproduce arbitrary music data of music datastored in the storage unit 24 is allocated, accordingly, the controlunit 20 reads out specified music data from the storage unit 24, andsends thus read out music data to a reproduction unit 26. Thereproduction unit 26 performs a predetermined reproduction processingfor thus sent music data to convert the music data to a music signal,and sends the music signal to an output unit 27. As a result, musicbased on the music signal is output from the output unit 27.

In this way, the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 reproduces musicdata stored in the storage unit 24.

Furthermore, in case the operation input accepted through the operationinput unit 21 from the touch panel 14A is an operation input to which acommand to transfer arbitrary music data of music data stored in thestorage unit 24 to the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12is allocated, accordingly, the control unit 20 reads out specified musicdata from the storage unit 24, and sends thus read out music data to theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 which is connected forcommunication thereto through the external connection unit 25B of thecommunication unit 25 and communication cable 13.

In this way, the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 transfers musicdata stored in the storage unit 24 to the portable type storagereproduction apparatus 12.

The operation input through the touch-panel-attached display unit 14will be explained for two cases or, a case in which the data storagereproduction apparatus 11 is not connected for communication with theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 (also referred to as atthe time of non-connection), and a case in which they are connected forcommunication with each other (also referred to as at the time ofconnection). Firstly, the operation input through thetouch-panel-attached display unit 14 at the time of non-connection willbe explained.

When power is on, the control unit 20 of the data storage reproductionapparatus 11 reads out data for Graphical User Interface (GUI) screenfrom the storage unit 24, and generates GUI screen data based on thedata for GUI screen and the folder configuration of the storage unit 24,and sends thus generated GUI screen data to a display unit 14B of thetouch-panel-attached display unit 14. The display unit 14B displays aGUI screen Gw shown in FIG. 4 based on thus sent GUI screen data.

The GUI screen Gw shown in FIG. 4 is a display example at the time ofnon-connection, and, on the GUI screen Gw in this case, an applicationicon Ai corresponding to an application stored in the storage unit 24,and a folder icon Fi corresponding to a folder generated in the storageunit 24 are arranged with their respective names attached thereto.Actually, the GUI screen Gw shown in FIG. 4 is an example on which anapplication icon Ai1 corresponding to a ripping application and its name“ripping”, an application icon Ai2 corresponding to a music datareproduction application and its name “player”, a folder icon Fi1corresponding to a folder A and its name “folder A”, and a folder iconFi2 corresponding to a folder B and its name “folder B” are arranged.

In a state in which the GUI screen Gw is displayed on the display unit14B, when the operation of touching the application icon Ai1corresponding to the ripping application is performed two timesconsecutively (also referred to as double-click or two-click) by theuser, the touch panel 14A arranged on the display unit 14B sends theoperation as an operation input to the operation input unit 21. Then,the operation input unit 21 sends the operation input to the controlunit 20.

The control unit 20 recognizes that the operation input is an operationinput to which a command to execute an application corresponding to theapplication icon Ai is allocated by the command allocation unit 22, and,for example, highlights and displays the application icon Ai1 accordingto the operation input, and, in accordance with a command which isallocated to the operation input, reads out the ripping application fromthe storage unit 24 to execute thus read out ripping application. In acase in which the application icon Ai2 corresponding to the music datareproduction application is double-clicked, similar processing isperformed.

In this way, when the application icon Ai is double-clicked through thetouch panel 14A, the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 executes theapplication corresponding to the application icon Ai.

On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the folder iconFi1 corresponding to the folder A is double-clicked, the touch panel 14Asends the operation as an operation input to the operation input unit21. Then, the operation input unit 21 sends the operation input to thecontrol unit 20.

The control unit 20 recognizes that the operation input is an operationinput to which a command to display the contents of a foldercorresponding to the folder icon Fi is allocated by the commandallocation unit 22, and, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, highlights anddisplays the folder icon Fi according to the operation input, and, inaccordance with a command which is allocated to the operation input,displays the file names of music data stored in the folder A such that afolder window Fw to be displayed in the form of a list is superimposedon the GUI screen Gw. In a case in which the folder icon Fi2corresponding to the folder B is double-clicked, similar processing isperformed.

The folder window Fw shown in FIG. 6 is an example in which four filenames of music data stored in the folder A, or “*****001. ***”,“*****002. ***”, “*****003. ***”, and “*****004. ***” are displayed inthe form of a list.

In this way, when the folder icon Fi is double-clicked through the touchpanel 14A, the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 displays the filenames of music data stored in a folder corresponding to the folder iconFi in the form of a list.

Furthermore, for example, when the file name “*****001. ***” displayedon the folder window Fw is double-clicked, the touch panel 14A sends theoperation as an operation input to the operation input unit 21. Then,the operation input unit 21 sends the operation input to the controlunit 20. The control unit 20 recognizes that the operation input is anoperation input to which a command to reproduce music data correspondingto the file name is allocated by the command allocation unit 22, and, inaccordance with the command allocated to the operation input, reads outmusic data of the file name “*****001. ***” from the storage unit 24,and sends thus read out music data to the reproduction unit 26 toreproduce the music data.

In this way, when the file name displayed on the folder window Fw isdouble-clicked through the touch panel 14A, the data storagereproduction apparatus 11 reproduces music data of the file name.

Explanation up to this is the operation input through thetouch-panel-attached display unit 14 at the time of non-connection. Withrespect to the operation of touching the application icon Ai and foldericon Fi only once (also referred to as one-click) at the time ofnon-connection, the command allocation unit 22 allocates no command.Accordingly, even if the application icon Ai and folder icon Fi areone-clicked at the time of non-connection, the data storage reproductionapparatus 11 performs no processing.

Next, the operation input through the touch-panel-attached display unit14 at the time of connection will be explained. When a detection unit 28of the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 detects that the datastorage reproduction apparatus 11 is connected for communication withthe portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 through thecommunication cable 13 from the external connection unit 25B of thecommunication unit 25, the detection unit 28 notifies the control unit20 and command allocation unit 22 of this state. Based on thenotification, when recognizing that the data storage reproductionapparatus 11 is connected for communication with the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus 12, by changing the display figuration ofthe folder icon Fi arranged on the GUI screen Gw, the control unit 20notifies the user that the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 isnormally connected for communication with the portable type storagereproduction apparatus 12.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, by changing the displayfiguration of the folder icon Fi which simply imitates a plain folder toa display figuration which imitates a folder in which a letter “Link”indicating that the connection for communication is attained is written,the control unit 20 notifies the user that the data storage reproductionapparatus 11 is normally connected for communication with the portabletype storage reproduction apparatus 12.

On the other hand, based on the notification from the detection unit 28,when recognizing that the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 isconnected for communication with the portable type storage reproductionapparatus 12, with respect to an operation input of one-clicking thefolder icon Fi, the command allocation unit 22 allocates a command oftransferring music data stored in a folder corresponding to the foldericon Fi to the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12.

Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the folder icon Fi1corresponding to the folder A is one-clicked, the touch panel 14A sendsthe operation as an operation input to the operation input unit 21.Then, the operation input unit 21 sends the operation input to thecontrol unit 20.

The control unit 20 recognizes that the operation input is an operationinput to which a command to transfer music data stored in a foldercorresponding to the folder icon Fi to the portable type storagereproduction apparatus 12 is allocated by the command allocation unit22, and, for example, highlights and displays the folder icon Fi1according to the operation input, and, in accordance with the commandallocated to the operation input, reads out music data stored in thefolder A from the storage unit 24, and transmits thus read out musicdata to the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 which isconnected for communication thereto through the external connection unit25B of the communication unit 25 and the communication cable 13. In acase in which the folder icon Fi2 corresponding to the folder B isone-clicked, similar processing is performed. When transferring musicdata to the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12, the controlunit 20 transfers also the related information.

Explanation up to this is the operation input through thetouch-panel-attached display unit 14 at the time of connection. Withrespect to an operation input of double-clicking the application icon Aiand an operation input of double-clicking the folder icon Fi, thecommand allocation unit 22 allocates the same command at the time ofconnection as well as at the time of non-connection.

In this way, when the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 isconnected for communication with the portable type storage reproductionapparatus 12, with respect to an operation input of one-clicking thefolder icon Fi (that is, one-click operation to the folder icon Fi), acommand of transferring music data stored in a folder corresponding tothe folder icon Fi to the portable type storage reproduction apparatus12 is allocated, and, when the folder icon Fi is actually one-clicked,music data stored in a folder corresponding to the folder icon Fi istransmitted to the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12.

Under this configuration, by only making the user one-click the foldericon Fi corresponding to a folder which stores music data desired to betransferred to the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12, thedata storage reproduction apparatus 11 can transmit music data (that is,music data which is desired to be transferred to the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus 12) stored in the folder to the portabletype storage reproduction apparatus 12. Accordingly, employing asimplified operation, music data desired by the user can be transferredto the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12.

Next, referring to FIG. 9, the functional configuration of the portabletype storage reproduction apparatus 12 will be explained. In theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12, a control unit 30totally controls respective units. Specifically, the control unit 30makes an external connection unit 31 receive music data transferred fromthe data storage reproduction apparatus 11 which is connected forcommunication through an external connection unit 31 and communicationcable 13, and stores thus received music data in a storage unit 32. Itis assumes that related information is attached to the music data whichis transferred from the data storage reproduction apparatus 11.

Then, when the communication cable 13 is removed from the externalconnection unit 31, and it is designated by the user that arbitrarymusic data stored in the storage unit 32 is reproduced through anoperation unit 33, accordingly, the control unit 30 reads out specifiedmusic data from the storage unit 32 to send thus read out music data toa reproduction unit 34. Furthermore, at this time, the control unit 30reads out related information of the music data from the storage unit 32to send thus read out related information to a display unit 36.

The reproduction unit 34 performs predetermined reproduction processingfor thus sent music data to convert the music data to a music signal,and sends the music signal to an output unit 35 being an earphone. As aresult, music based on the music signal is output from the output unit35. Furthermore, the display unit 36 displays tune name, artist name,reproduction elapse time, etc. corresponding to music data which isbeing reproduced based on the sent related information.

In this way, the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 storesmusic data transferred from the data storage reproduction apparatus 11,and reproduces the music data as necessary.

(1-2-3) Data Transfer Processing Procedure

Next, the processing procedure (also referred to as data transferprocessing procedure) when the above-described data storage reproductionapparatus 11 transfers music data to the portable type storagereproduction apparatus 12 will be explained using a flowchart shown inFIG. 10. The data transfer processing procedure is the procedure ofprocessing to be executed mainly by the control unit 20, commandallocation unit 22, and detection unit 28 of the data storagereproduction apparatus 11.

For example, when power is on, in step SP1 of the data transferprocessing procedure RT1, the detection unit 28 of the data storagereproduction apparatus 11 detects whether or not the data storagereproduction apparatus 11 is connected for communication with theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 through thecommunication cable 13 from the external connection unit 25B. In casethe negative result is obtained in step SP1, this represents that thedata storage reproduction apparatus 11 is not connected forcommunication with the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12,and the detection unit 28 ends the data transfer processing procedureRT1.

On the other hand, in case the positive result is obtained in step SP1,this represents that the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 isconnected for communication with the portable type storage reproductionapparatus 12, and the detection unit 28 notifies the command allocationunit 22 of this state.

When receiving the notification that the data storage reproductionapparatus 11 and the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 areconnected for communication with each other from the detection unit 28,in the following step SP2, with respect to an operation input ofone-clicking the folder icon Fi arranged on the GUI screen Gw, thecommand allocation unit 22 allocates a command (data transfer command)of transferring music data stored in a folder corresponding to thefolder icon Fi to the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12.

When allocating the command is completed by the command allocation unit22, in the following step SP3, the control unit 20 determines whether ornot the folder icon Fi is one-clicked through the touch panel 14A basedon an operation input sent from the operation input unit 21.

In case the positive result is obtained in step SP3, this representsthat the folder icon Fi is one-clicked by the user, and the control unit20 goes to step SP4. In step SP4, the control unit 20 reads out musicdata stored in a folder corresponding to the one-clicked folder icon Fifrom the storage unit 24, and transfers thus read out music data to theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 from the externalconnection unit 25B, ending the data transfer processing procedure RT1.

On the other hand, in case the negative result is obtained in step SP3,this represents that the folder icon Fi has not been one-clicked yet,and the control unit 20 goes to step SP5. In step SP5, the control unit20 determines whether or not notification that the communicationconnection between the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 and theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 is canceled is receivedfrom the detection unit 28.

In case the negative result is obtained in step SP5, this representsthat the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 and the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus 12 are still connected for communicationwith each other, and then the control unit 20 returns to step SP3 again,and waits for the folder icon Fi to be one-clicked.

On the other hand, in case the positive result is obtained in step SP5,this represents that the communication connection between the datastorage reproduction apparatus 11 and the portable type storagereproduction apparatus 12 is canceled, and then the control unit 20 endsthe data transfer processing procedure RT1.

In accordance with the data transfer processing procedure RT1, the datastorage reproduction apparatus 11 transfers music data to the portabletype storage reproduction apparatus 12.

(1-2-4) Operation and Effect in the First Embodiment

In the above-described configuration, the data storage reproductionapparatus 11 stores music data by storing the music data in a foldergenerated in the storage unit 24. Furthermore, the data storagereproduction apparatus 11 displays the GUI screen Gw on which the foldericon Fi corresponding to the folder generated in the storage unit 24 isarranged on the display unit 14B.

Then, when the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 is connected forcommunication with the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12,with respect to an operation input of one-clicking the folder icon Fiarranged on the GUI screen Gw, a data transfer command of transferringmusic data stored in a folder corresponding to the folder icon Fi to theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 is allocated, and, whenthe folder icon Fi is actually one-clicked, music data stored in afolder corresponding to the folder icon Fi is transmitted to theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12.

In this way, when connected for communication with the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus 12, by only making the user one-click thefolder icon Fi corresponding to a folder which stores music data desiredto be transferred to the portable type storage reproduction apparatus12, the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 can transmit music data(that is, music data which the user wants to transfer to the portabletype storage reproduction apparatus 12) stored in the folder to theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12.

Furthermore, when connected for communication with the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus 12, the data storage reproductionapparatus 11 changes the display figuration of the folder icon Fiarranged on the GUI screen Gw. In this way, using the folder icon Fi,the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 can make the user recognizethat the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 is normally connectedfor communication with the portable type storage reproduction apparatus12.

Furthermore, only when connected for communication with the portabletype storage reproduction apparatus 12, with respect to an operationinput of one-clicking the folder icon Fi, the data storage reproductionapparatus 11 allocates a data transfer command. Accordingly, it becomespossible to prevent, when the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 isnot connected for communication with the portable type storagereproduction apparatus 12, wrongly accepting an operation input oftransferring music data to the portable type storage reproductionapparatus 12, or wrongly executing the processing of transferring musicdata to the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12.

Under this configuration, when the data storage reproduction apparatus11 is connected for communication with the portable type storagereproduction apparatus 12, with respect to an operation input ofone-clicking the folder icon Fi, a command of transferring music datastored in a folder corresponding to the folder icon Fi to the portabletype storage reproduction apparatus 12 is allocated, and, when thefolder icon Fi is actually one-clicked, music data stored in a foldercorresponding to the folder icon Fi is transmitted to the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus 12. In this way, by only making the userone-click the folder icon Fi corresponding to a folder which storesmusic data desired to be transferred to the portable type storagereproduction apparatus 12, the data storage reproduction apparatus 11can transmit music data (that is, music data which the user wants totransfer to the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12) storedin the folder to the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12.Accordingly, it becomes possible to easily transfer music data desiredby the user to the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 byemploying a simple operation.

(2) Second Embodiment

Next, the second embodiment will be explained. In the second embodiment,when the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 is connected forcommunication with the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12,not only a data transfer command is allocated with respect to anoperation input of one-clicking the folder icon Fi, but also a commanddifferent from that at the time of non-connection is allocated withrespect to an operation input of double-clicking the folder icon Fi.Accordingly, in this embodiment, command allocation at the time ofconnection will be mainly explained. The general outline, systemconfiguration, functional configuration of the data storage reproductionapparatus 11 are similar to those in the first embodiment, for which thefirst embodiment is referred to.

The configuration itself of the portable type storage reproductionapparatus 12 is similar to that in the first embodiment. On the otherhand, as an additional function of the control unit 30, reproductionhistory of music data is stored in the storage unit 24, and thereproduction history is arbitrarily transmitted (that is, uploaded) tothe data storage reproduction apparatus 11 from the external connectionunit 31.

Specifically, in the second embodiment, when it is recognized that thedata storage reproduction apparatus 11 is connected for communicationwith the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 based on thenotification from the detection unit 28, with respect to an operationinput of one-clicking the folder icon Fi, the command allocation unit 22of the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 allocates a command oftransferring music data stored in a folder corresponding to the foldericon Fi to the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12, and,with respect to an operation input of double-clicking the folder iconFi, a command of displaying the contents of a folder corresponding tothe folder icon Fi is switched to a command of receiving reproductionhistory from the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 andstoring thus received reproduction history in a folder corresponding tothe folder icon Fi.

Then, when the folder icon Fi is actually double-clicked, the controlunit 20 of the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 transmits anupload request for reproduction history to the portable type storagereproduction apparatus 12 through the external connection unit 25B. As aresult, when reproduction history is uploaded from the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus 12, the control unit 20 receives thereproduction history from the external connection unit 25B, and storesthus received reproduction history in a folder corresponding to thefolder icon Fi which has been double-clicked previously.

(2-1) Data Transfer Processing Procedure in the Second Embodiment

Next, the processing procedure (also referred to as datatransmission/reception processing procedure) when the data storagereproduction apparatus 11 in the second embodiment transfers music datato the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12, and receivesreproduction history from the portable type storage reproductionapparatus 12 will be explained using a flowchart shown in FIG. 11. Thedata transmission/reception processing procedure is the procedure ofprocessing to be executed mainly by the control unit 20, commandallocation unit 22, and detection unit 28 of the data storagereproduction apparatus 11.

For example, when power is on, in step SP10 of the data transferprocessing procedure RT2, the detection unit 28 of the data storagereproduction apparatus 11 detects whether or not the data storagereproduction apparatus 11 is connected for communication with theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 through thecommunication cable 13 from the external connection unit 25B. In casethe negative result is obtained in step SP10, this represents that thedata storage reproduction apparatus 11 and the portable type storagereproduction apparatus 12 are not connected for communication, and thedetection unit 28 ends the data transmission/reception processingprocedure RT2.

On the other hand, in case the positive result is obtained in step SP10,this represents that the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 and theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 are connected forcommunication with each other, and the detection unit 28 notifies thecommand allocation unit 22 of this state.

When receiving the notification that the data storage reproductionapparatus 11 and the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 areconnected for communication with each other from the detection unit 28,in the following step SP11, with respect to an operation input ofone-clicking the folder icon Fi arranged on the GUI screen Gw, thecommand allocation unit 22 allocates a command (data transfer command)of transferring music data stored in a folder corresponding to thefolder icon Fi to the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12,and, with respect to an operation input of double-clicking the foldericon Fi, the command allocation unit 22 allocates a command of receivingreproduction history from the portable type storage reproductionapparatus 12 and stores thus received reproduction history in a foldercorresponding to the folder icon Fi.

When allocating the command is completed by the command allocation unit22, in the following step SP12, the control unit 20 determines whetheror not the folder icon Fi is one-clicked through the touch panel 14Abased on an operation input sent from the operation input unit 21.

In case the positive result is obtained in step SP12, this representsthat the folder icon Fi is one-clicked by the user, and the control unit20 goes to step SP13. In step SP13, the control unit 20 reads out musicdata stored in a folder corresponding to the one-clicked folder icon Fifrom the storage unit 24, and transfers thus read out music data to theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 from the externalconnection unit 25B, ending the data transmission/reception processingprocedure RT2.

On the other hand, in case the negative result is obtained in step SP12,this represents that the folder icon Fi has not been one-clicked yet,and the control unit 20 goes to step SP14. In step SP14, the controlunit 20 determines whether or not the folder icon Fi is double-clickedthrough the touch panel 14A based on an operation input sent from theoperation input unit 21.

In case the positive result is obtained in step SP14, this representsthat the folder icon Fi is double-clicked by the user, and the controlunit 20 goes to step SP15. In step SP15, the control unit 20 receivesreproduction history which is uploaded by the portable type storagereproduction apparatus 12 from the external connection unit 25B, andstores thus received reproduction history in a folder corresponding tothe double-clicked folder icon Fi, ending the datatransmission/reception processing procedure RT2.

In case the negative result is obtained in step SP14, this representsthat the folder icon Fi is neither one-clicked nor double-clicked, andthe control unit 20 goes to step SP16. In step SP16, the control unit 20determines whether or not notification that the communication connectionbetween the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 and the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus 12 is canceled is received from thedetection unit 28.

In case the negative result is obtained in step SP16, this representsthat the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 and the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus 12 are still connected for communicationwith each other, and then the control unit 20 returns to step SP12again, and waits for the folder icon Fi to be one-clicked ordouble-clicked.

On the other hand, in case the positive result is obtained in step SP16,this represents that the communication connection between the datastorage reproduction apparatus 11 and the portable type storagereproduction apparatus 12 is canceled, and then the control unit 20 endsthe data transmission/reception processing procedure RT2.

In accordance with the data transmission/reception processing procedureRT2, the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 transfers music data tothe portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12, and receivesuploaded reproduction history from the portable type storagereproduction apparatus 12.

As has been described above, in the second embodiment, when the datastorage reproduction apparatus 11 is connected for communication withthe portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12, with respect to anoperation input of one-clicking the folder icon Fi, a command oftransferring music data stored in a folder corresponding to the foldericon Fi to the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 isallocated, and, with respect to an operation input of double-clickingthe folder icon Fi, a command of receiving reproduction history from theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 and storing thusreceived reproduction history in a folder corresponding to the foldericon Fi is allocated.

Then, when the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 is connected forcommunication with the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12,when the folder icon Fi is actually one-clicked, music data stored in afolder corresponding to the folder icon Fi is transmitted to theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12, and when the foldericon Fi is double-clicked, reproduction history is received from theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 and thus receivedreproduction history is stored in a folder corresponding to thedouble-clicked folder icon Fi.

In this way, when the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 of thesecond embodiment is connected for communication with the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus 12, by only one-clicking ordouble-clicking the folder icon Fi corresponding to a desired folder,music data stored in the folder can be transferred to the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus 12, or reproduction history can bereceived from the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 to bestored in the folder. Accordingly, employing a simplified operation,music data desired by the user can be transferred to the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus 12, and reproduction history receivedfrom the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 can be storedin a folder desired by the user.

Furthermore, with respect to the double-click operation to the foldericon Fi, by allocating a command suitable for the communicationconnection situation with the portable type storage reproductionapparatus 12, employing one operation input method of double-clickingthe folder icon Fi, the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 canexecute the processing (processing of displaying the contents of afolder, or processing of storing reproduction history received from theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 in a folder) suitablefor the communication connection situation at that time. In this way,the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 can execute much processingby employing a simple operation that minimizes the operation inputmethod which has to be memorized by the user.

(3) Third Embodiment

Next, the third embodiment will be explained. Firstly, general outlineof the third embodiment will be explained.

(3-1) General Outline of the Third Embodiment

In FIG. 12, a reference numeral “100” represents a functional block ofan information processing apparatus. The information processingapparatus 100 includes a radio communication unit 101 thattransmits/receives data to and from an external device by radio, adetection unit 102 that can transmit/receive data to and from the radiocommunication unit 101 and detects the closest external device, anoperation input unit 103 that accepts an operation input, and a controlunit 104 that, in a state in which an external device is detected by thedetection unit 102, when the operation input unit 103 accepts anoperation to a symbol corresponding to a data storage place displayed ona display unit, controls so that the radio communication unit 101transmits data stored in the data storage place corresponding to thesymbol to the detected external device.

Under the above-described configuration, by only performing an operationto a symbol corresponding to an arbitrary data storage place, theinformation processing apparatus 100 can transmit data desired by theuser stored in the arbitrary data storage place to the closest externaldevice by radio. Thus, it becomes possible to transfer desired dataeasily.

(3-2) Specific Example of the Third Embodiment

(3-2-1) Configuration of Data Transfer System

Next, a specific example of the third embodiment will be explained. InFIG. 13, a reference numeral “110” represents a data transfer system.The data transfer system 110 includes a data storage reproductionapparatus 111 provided with the function of storing and reproducing data(for example, music data), and a plurality of portable type storagereproduction apparatuses PA (PA1, PA2, . . . , PAn) provided with thefunction of storing and reproducing music data, and these data storagereproduction apparatus 111 and plural portable type storage reproductionapparatuses PA are connected for communication by radio. The datastorage reproduction apparatus 111 of the data transfer system 110 isthe specific example of the above-described information processingapparatus 100.

The data storage reproduction apparatus 111 stores music data rippedfrom a CD or music data downloaded from a music delivery server, notshown, on a network NT in a built-in storage unit according to theoperation input by the user through an operation unit 112 being akeyboard and a mouse. Furthermore, the data storage reproductionapparatus 111 reproduces arbitrary music data of music data thus storedin the built-in storage unit according to the operation input by theuser through the operation unit 112.

Furthermore, when it is designated that arbitrary music data of musicdata stored in the storage unit is transferred to the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus PA by the operation input from the userthrough the operation unit 112, accordingly, the data storagereproduction apparatus 11 reads out specified music data from thestorage unit, and transmits thus read out music data to thepredetermined portable type storage reproduction apparatus PA by radio.

On the other hand, the portable type storage reproduction apparatus PAstores music data transferred from the data storage reproductionapparatus 111 by radio in a built-in storage unit, not shown. Then, whenit is designated that arbitrary music data is reproduced by the userwith the portable type storage reproduction apparatus PA taken along bythe user, accordingly, the portable type storage reproduction apparatusPA reads out and reproduces music data from the storage unit.

In this way, in the data transfer system 110 in the third embodiment,according to the operation input through the operation unit 112 of thedata storage reproduction apparatus 111, the data storage reproductionapparatus 111 transfers arbitrary music data of stored music data to theportable type storage reproduction apparatus PA by radio.

(3-2-2) Functional Configuration of Data Storage Reproduction Apparatusand Portable Type Storage Reproduction Apparatus

Next, the functional configuration of the data storage reproductionapparatus 111 and the portable type storage reproduction apparatus PAwill be explained. Firstly, referring to FIG. 14, the functionalconfiguration of the data storage reproduction apparatus 111 will beexplained. In the data storage reproduction apparatus 111, a controlunit 120 totally controls respective units.

Specifically, the control unit 120 accepts an operation input throughthe operation unit 112 from an operation input unit 121. For example, incase the operation input accepted by the operation input unit 121 is anoperation input to which a command to rip music data from a CD isallocated, the control unit 20 sends the command to a CD ripping unit122.

The CD ripping unit 122 reads out music data from an inserted CD, andobtains ripping music data by performing predetermined rippingprocessing such as conversion processing of data format for the musicdata, and stores the ripping music data in a storage unit 123. Actually,in the storage unit 123, folders which are logical data storage placesare generated, and the CD ripping unit 122 stores the ripping music datain the storage unit 123 by storing the ripping music data in a folderspecified by the user, for example. These folders are generated in thestorage unit 123 or deleted from the storage unit 123 by the controlunit 120 based on the operation input by the user.

Furthermore, at this time, based on the Table of Contents (TOC)information of a CD etc., for example, the CD ripping unit 122 obtainsrelated information such as recorded album name, tune name, artist name,genre, reproduction time period, tune ID, etc. of the ripping music datafrom a related information delivery server, not shown, on a network NTwhich is connected for communication through a network connection unit124A of a communication unit 124, and stores the related information inthe storage unit 123 together with the ripping music data.

Furthermore, for example, in case the operation input unit 121 acceptsan operation input to which a command to download arbitrary music datafrom a music delivery server on a network NT is allocated, accordingly,the control unit 120 transmits a delivery request for specified musicdata to a music delivery server, not shown, which is connected forcommunication through the network connection unit 124A of thecommunication unit 124. As a result, when music data is transmitted fromthe music delivery server, the control unit 120 receives the music datafrom the network connection unit 124A, and, for example, stores thusreceived music data in a folder of the storage unit 123 which isspecified by the user. It is assumed that related information has beenattached to the music data in advance which is delivered from the musicdelivery server.

In this way, the data storage reproduction apparatus 111 stores themusic data ripped from the CD and music data downloaded from the musicdelivery server in the storage unit 123 by storing the music data in afolder specified by the user.

Furthermore, the control unit 120 shifts part or all of the music datathus stored in a folder to another folder or a newly generated folderbased on the operation input by the user.

Furthermore, for example, in case the operation input unit 121 acceptsan operation input to which a command to reproduce arbitrary music dataof music data stored in the storage unit 123 is allocated, accordingly,the control unit 120 reads out specified music data from the storageunit 123, and sends thus read out music data to a reproduction unit 125.The reproduction unit 125 performs predetermined reproduction processingfor thus sent music data to convert the music data to a music signal,and sends the music signal to an output unit 126. As a result, musicbased on the music signal is output from the output unit 126.

In this way, the data storage reproduction apparatus 111 reproducesmusic data stored in the storage unit 123.

Furthermore, when the data storage reproduction apparatus 111 isconnected for communication with one or more portable type storagereproduction apparatuses PA by radio through a radio communication unit124B of the communication unit 124, a detection unit 127 detects oneportable type storage reproduction apparatus PA closest to the datastorage reproduction apparatus 111 from among one or more portable typestorage reproduction apparatuses PA which are connected forcommunication through the radio communication unit 124B.

Actually, when the distance from the portable type storage reproductionapparatus PA is within a predetermined range, the radio communicationunit 124B starts communication connection with the portable type storagereproduction apparatus PA automatically. Then, for example, thedetection unit 127 obtains intensities of electric waves received fromthe respective one or more portable type storage reproductionapparatuses PA which are located within a predetermined range to beconnected for communication with the radio communication unit 124B foreach portable type storage reproduction apparatus PA from the radiocommunication unit 124B, and detects one portable type storagereproduction apparatus PA corresponding to the highest intensity amongthe obtained intensities as the portable type storage reproductionapparatus PA closest to the data storage reproduction apparatus 111.

In this way, in a state in which the closest portable type storagereproduction apparatus PA is detected by the detection unit 127 fromamong the portable type storage reproduction apparatuses PA which areconnected for communication by radio through the radio communicationunit 124B, when the operation input unit 121 accepts an operation inputto which a command to specify an arbitrary folder generated in thestorage unit 123 is allocated, accordingly, the control unit 120 readsout music data stored in the specified folder from the storage unit 123,and transmits thus read out music data to the closest portable typestorage reproduction apparatus PA by radio through the radiocommunication unit 124B of the communication unit 124.

In this way, the data storage reproduction apparatus 111 transfers musicdata stored in the storage unit 123 to the closest portable type storagereproduction apparatus PA by radio among the portable type storagereproduction apparatuses PA which are connected for communicationthereto.

Next, the operation input to which a command to specify an arbitraryfolder is allocated will be explained. When power is on, the controlunit 120 of the data storage reproduction apparatus 111 reads out datafor GUI screen from the storage unit 123, and generates GUI screen databased on the data for GUI screen and the folder configuration of thestorage unit 123, and sends thus generated GUI screen data to a displayunit 128. The display unit 128 displays a GUI screen Gwx shown in FIG.15 based on thus sent GUI screen data.

On the GUI screen Gwx, an application icon Ai corresponding to anapplication stored in the storage unit 123 and a folder icon Ficorresponding to a folder generated in the storage unit 123 are arrangedwith their respective names attached thereto. Actually, the GUI screenGwx shown in FIG. 15 is an example on which an application icon Ai10corresponding to a ripping application and its name “ripping”, anapplication icon Ai11 corresponding to a music data reproductionapplication and its name “player”, a folder icon Fi10 corresponding to afolder A and its name “folder A”, and a folder icon Fi11 correspondingto a folder B and its name “folder B” are arranged.

Furthermore, on the GUI screen Gwx, a cursor Cu in the form of an arrowwhich can shift on the GUI screen Gwx is displayed through the operationunit 112.

In a state in which the GUI screen Gwx is displayed on the display unit128, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, when the operation of shiftingthe cursor Cu on the folder icon Fi10 corresponding to the folder Athrough the operation unit 112, and pressing a predetermined button ofthe operation unit 112 only once (also referred to as one-click) isperformed by the user, the operation input unit 121 sends the operationinput to the control unit 120.

The control unit 120 recognizes that the operation input is an operationinput to which a command to specify a folder is allocated, and, forexample, highlights and displays the folder icon Fi10 according to theoperation input, and specifies a folder corresponding to the folder iconFi10. In a case in which the folder icon Fi10 corresponding to thefolder B is one-clicked, similar processing is performed.

This operation input of one-clicking the folder icon Fi is an operationinput to which a command to specify an arbitrary folder is allocated.

That is, in a state in which the closest portable type storagereproduction apparatus PA is detected by the detection unit 127 fromamong the portable type storage reproduction apparatuses PA which areconnected for communication by radio through the radio communicationunit 124B, when the operation input unit 121 accepts an operation inputof one-clicking the folder icon Fi (that is, an operation input ofspecifying a folder corresponding to the folder icon Fi), the controlunit 120 reads out music data stored in a folder corresponding to theone-clicked folder icon Fi from the storage unit 123, and transmits thusread out music data to the closest portable type storage reproductionapparatus PA by radio through the radio communication unit 124B of thecommunication unit 124.

Under the above-described configuration, by only making the userone-click the folder icon Fi corresponding to a folder in which musicdata desired to be transferred is stored, the data storage reproductionapparatus 111 can transmit music data stored in the folder to theclosest portable type storage reproduction apparatus PA by radio.

That is, by only making the user place the desired portable type storagereproduction apparatus PA to a position closest to the data storagereproduction apparatus 111, and one-click the folder icon Ficorresponding to a folder in which music data desired to be transferredto the portable type storage reproduction apparatus PA is stored, thedata storage reproduction apparatus 111 can transmit music data storedin the folder (that is, music data which the user wants to transfer tothe portable type storage reproduction apparatus PA) to the closestportable type storage reproduction apparatus (that is, the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus to which the user wants to transfer musicdata) PA by radio. Accordingly, it becomes possible to transfer musicdata desired by the user to the desired portable type storagereproduction apparatus PA by employing a simple operation.

Next, referring to FIG. 17, the functional configuration of the portabletype storage reproduction apparatus PA will be explained. It is assumedthat the respective functional configurations of the plural portabletype storage reproduction apparatuses PA1, PA2, . . . , PAn are similarto each other.

In the portable type storage reproduction apparatus PA, a control unit130 totally controls respective units. Specifically, the control unit130 receives music data transferred from the data storage reproductionapparatus 111 which is connected for communication by radio through aradio communication unit 131 from the radio communication unit 131, andstores thus received music data in a storage unit 132. It is assumesthat related information is attached to the music data which istransferred from the data storage reproduction apparatus 111.

Then, when it is designated by the user that arbitrary music data storedin the storage unit 132 is reproduced through an operation unit 133,accordingly, the control unit 130 reads out specified music data fromthe storage unit 132 to send thus read out music data to a reproductionunit 134. Furthermore, at this time, the control unit 130 reads outrelated information of the music data from the storage unit 132 to sendthus read out related information to a display unit 136.

The reproduction unit 134 performs predetermined reproduction processingfor thus sent music data to convert the music data to a music signal,and sends the music signal to an output unit 135 being an earphone. As aresult, music based on the music signal is output from the output unit135. Furthermore, the display unit 136 displays tune name, artist name,reproduction elapse time, etc. corresponding to music data which isbeing reproduced based on the sent related information.

In this way, the portable type storage reproduction apparatus PA storesmusic data transferred from the data storage reproduction apparatus 111by radio, and reproduces the music data as necessary.

(3-2-3) Data Transfer Processing Procedure

Next, the data transfer processing procedure when the above-describeddata storage reproduction apparatus 111 transfers music data to theportable type storage reproduction apparatus PA will be explained usinga flowchart shown in FIG. 18. The data transfer processing procedure isthe procedure of processing to be executed mainly by the control unit120, and detection unit 127 of the data storage reproduction apparatus111.

For example, when power is on, in step SP100 of the data transferprocessing procedure RT3, the detection unit 127 of the data storagereproduction apparatus 111 determines whether or not the data storagereproduction apparatus 111 is connected for communication with at leastone or more portable type storage reproduction apparatuses PA by radiothrough the radio communication unit 124B. In case the negative resultis obtained in step SP100, this represents that the data storagereproduction apparatus 111 is not connected for communication with anyof the portable type storage reproduction apparatuses PA, and thedetection unit 127 ends the data transfer processing procedure RT3.

On the other hand, in case the positive result is obtained in stepSP100, this represents that the data storage reproduction apparatus 111is connected for communication with at least one or more portable typestorage reproduction apparatuses PA, and the detection unit 127 goes tostep SP101.

In step SP101, the detection unit 127 detects one portable type storagereproduction apparatus PA closest to the data storage reproductionapparatus 111 from among one or more portable type storage reproductionapparatuses PA which are connected for communication, and notifies thecontrol unit 130 of this state.

When it is notified which portable type storage reproduction apparatusPA is closest from the detection unit 127, in the following step SP102,the control unit 130 determines whether or not the folder icon Fiarranged on the GUI screen Gwx is one-clicked through the operation unit112 based on an operation input sent from the operation input unit 121.

In case the positive result is obtained in step SP102, this representsthat the folder icon Fi is one-clicked by the user, and the control unit120 goes to step SP103. In step SP103, the control unit 120 reads outmusic data stored in a folder corresponding to the one-clicked foldericon Fi from the storage unit 123, and transfers thus read out musicdata to the closest portable type storage reproduction apparatus PA fromthe radio communication unit 124B, ending the data transfer processingprocedure RT3.

On the other hand, in case the negative result is obtained in stepSP102, this represents that the folder icon Fi has not been one-clickedyet, and the control unit 120 goes to step SP104. In step SP104, thecontrol unit 120 determines whether or not notification that thecommunication connection between the data storage reproduction apparatus111 and the closest portable type storage reproduction apparatus PA iscanceled is received from the detection unit 127.

In case the negative result is obtained in step SP104, this representsthat the data storage reproduction apparatus 111 and the closestportable type storage reproduction apparatus PA are still connected forcommunication, and then the control unit 120 returns to step SP102again, and waits for the folder icon Fi to be one-clicked.

On the other hand, in case the positive result is obtained in stepSP104, this represents that the communication connection between thedata storage reproduction apparatus 111 and the closest portable typestorage reproduction apparatus PA is canceled, and then the control unit120 ends the data transfer processing procedure RT3. On the other hand,in case the positive result is obtained in step SP104, without endingthe data transfer processing procedure RT3, the control unit 120 mayreturn to step SP100 to determine whether or not the data storagereproduction apparatus 111 is connected for communication with otherportable type storage reproduction apparatuses PA.

In accordance with the data transfer processing procedure RT3, the datastorage reproduction apparatus 111 transfers music data to the closestportable type storage reproduction apparatus PA by radio.

(3-2-4) Operation and Effect in the Third Embodiment

In the above-described configuration, the data storage reproductionapparatus 111 stores music data by storing the music data in a foldergenerated in the storage unit 123. Furthermore, the data storagereproduction apparatus 111 displays the GUI screen Gwx on which thefolder icon Fi corresponding to a folder generated in the storage unit123 is arranged on the display unit 128.

Furthermore, when being connected for communication with one or moreportable type storage reproduction apparatuses PA by radio, the datastorage reproduction apparatus 111 detects the closest portable typestorage reproduction apparatus PA from among these one or more portabletype storage reproduction apparatuses PA which are connected forcommunication thereto.

Then, in a state in which the closest portable type storage reproductionapparatus PA is detected from among one or more portable type storagereproduction apparatuses PA which are connected for communication, whenthe folder icon Fi arranged on the GUI screen Gwx is one-clicked (thatis, a folder corresponding to the folder icon Fi is specified), the datastorage reproduction apparatus 111 reads out music data stored in afolder corresponding to the folder icon Fi from the storage unit 123,and transmits thus read out music data to the closest portable typestorage reproduction apparatus PA by radio through the radiocommunication unit 124B.

In this way, by only making the user one-click the folder icon Ficorresponding to a folder which stores music data desired to betransferred, the data storage reproduction apparatus 111 can transmitmusic data stored in the folder to the closest portable type storagereproduction apparatus PA by radio.

Under this configuration, in a state in which the closest portable typestorage reproduction apparatus PA is detected from among one or moreportable type storage reproduction apparatuses PA which are connectedfor communication by radio, when the folder icon Fi is one-clicked, thedata storage reproduction apparatus 111 transmits music data stored in afolder corresponding to the folder icon Fi to the detected portable typestorage reproduction apparatus PA. Accordingly, by only making the userplace the desired portable type storage reproduction apparatus PA to aposition closest to the data storage reproduction apparatus 111, andone-click the folder icon Fi corresponding to a folder in which musicdata desired to be transferred to the portable type storage reproductionapparatus PA is stored, music data stored in the folder (that is, musicdata which the user wants to transfer to the portable type storagereproduction apparatus PA) can be transmitted to the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus PA. Accordingly, it becomes possible toeasily transfer music data desired by the user to the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus PA desired by the user by employing asimple operation.

(4) Fourth Embodiment

Next, the fourth embodiment will be explained. In the fourth embodiment,the data storage reproduction apparatuses 11 and 111, and portable typestorage reproduction apparatuses 12 and PA in the first to thirdembodiments are realized by hardware configuration.

In a data storage reproduction apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 19, thefunctional configuration of the data storage reproduction apparatuses 11and 111 in the first to third embodiments are realized by hardwareconfiguration. When an input device 201 composed of a touch panel, akeyboard, a mouse, etc. is operated by the user, the input device 201recognizes the operation, and sends an operation input signalcorresponding to the operation to an input processing unit 202. Theinput processing unit 202 performs predetermined processing for thussupplied operation input signal to convert the operation input signal toan operation command, and sends the operation command to a CentralProcessing Unit (CPU) 204 through a bus 203.

The CPU 204 reads out various programs such as a basic program and anapplication program stored in a Read Only Memory (ROM) 205 or a harddisc drive 206 in advance to a Random Access Memory (RAM) 207 throughthe bus 203. Then, the CPU 204 controls the entire apparatus inaccordance with these various programs expanded on the RAM 207, andexecutes predetermined arithmetic processing and various processingcorresponding to an operation command sent from the input processingunit 202.

Specifically, for example, when an operation input signal thatdesignates so that music data is ripped from a CD inserted to a drive208 is input through the input device 201 by the user, the CPU 204 readsout music data from the CD inserted to the drive 208, and obtainsripping music data by performing ripping processing such as conversionprocessing of data format for the music data, and stores the rippingmusic data by storing it in a folder arbitrarily generated in the harddisc drive 206.

Furthermore, the CPU 204 is connected for communication with a server ona network NT through a wire communication processing unit 209 and anetwork interface 210 in series as necessary, and transmits and receivesvarious data to and from the server.

Furthermore, the CPU 204 is connected for communication with an externaldevice (for example, the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12or PA) by radio through a wireless communication processing unit 211 andan antenna 212 in series as necessary, and transmits and receivesvarious data to and from the external device.

Furthermore, the CPU 204 is connected for communication with an externaldevice (for example, the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12or PA) through an external connection processing unit 213 and anexternal connection interface 214 in series as necessary, and transmitsand receives various data to and from the external device.

In this way, data (for example, music data) which is transmitted andreceived to and from other devices is stored when it is stored in anarbitrary folder in the hard disc drive 206, and is read out asnecessary.

Furthermore, for example, when an operation input signal that designatesso that music data stored in a folder of the hard disc drive 206 isreproduced is input through the input device 201 by the user, the CPU204 reads out specified music data from the hard disc drive 206 throughthe input device 201, and sends thus read out music data to an audioprocessing unit 215 through the bus 203. The audio processing unit 215performs the audio processing such as the decode processing,digital-to-analog conversion processing, and amplification processingfor the music data, and sends thus obtained music signal to a speaker216. As a result, the speaker 216 outputs music based on the musicsignal.

Furthermore, the CPU 204 reads out data for GUI screen from the harddisc drive 206 as necessary, and generates GUI screen data based on thedata for GUI screen and the folder configuration of the hard disc drive206, and sends thus generated GUI screen data to a display processingunit 217 through the bus 203. The display processing unit 217 displays aGUI screen in which a folder icon based on the GUI screen data isarranged on a display 218.

On the other hand, in the data storage reproduction apparatus 200, sincethe CPU 204 executes various processing in accordance with variousprograms stored in the ROM 205 or hard disc drive 206 in advance,according to various functions and processing to be executed of the datastorage reproduction apparatus 11 (FIG. 3) of the functionalconfiguration in the above-described first and second embodiments, byarbitrarily selecting various programs to be stored in the ROM 205 orhard disc drive 206, the CPU 204 can be made to function similarly asthe control unit 20, command allocation unit 22, and detection unit 28of the functional configuration, the input device 201 can be made tofunction similarly as the touch panel 14A of the functionalconfiguration, the input processing unit 202 can be made to functionsimilarly as the operation input unit 21 of the functionalconfiguration, the hard disc drive 206 can be made to function similarlyas the storage unit 24 of the functional configuration, the wirecommunication processing unit 209 and network interface 210 can be madeto function similarly as the network connection unit 25A of thefunctional configuration, the external connection processing unit 213and external connection interface 214 can be made to function similarlyas the external connection unit 25B of the functional configuration, theCPU 204 and drive 208 can be made to function similarly as the CDripping unit 23 of the functional configuration, the audio processingunit 215 can be made to function similarly as the reproduction unit 26of the functional configuration, the speaker 216 can be made to functionsimilarly as the output unit 27 of the functional configuration, and thedisplay processing unit 217 and display 218 can be made to functionsimilarly as the display unit 14B of the functional configuration.

Furthermore, similarly, in the data storage reproduction apparatus 200,according to various functions and processing to be executed of the datastorage reproduction apparatus 111 (FIG. 14) of the functionalconfiguration in the above-described third embodiment, by arbitrarilyselecting various programs to be stored in the ROM 205 or hard discdrive 206, the CPU 204 can be made to function similarly as the controlunit 120 and detection unit 127 of the functional configuration, theinput device 201 can be made to function similarly as the operation unit112 of the functional configuration, the input processing unit 202 canbe made to function similarly as the operation input unit 121 of thefunctional configuration, the hard disc drive 206 can be made tofunction similarly as the storage unit 123 of the functionalconfiguration, the wire communication processing unit 209 and networkinterface 210 can be made to function similarly as the networkconnection unit 124A of the functional configuration, the wirelesscommunication processing unit 211 and antenna 212 can be made tofunction similarly as the radio communication unit 124B of thefunctional configuration, the CPU 204 and drive 208 can be made tofunction similarly as the CD ripping unit 122 of the functionalconfiguration, the audio processing unit 215 can be made to functionsimilarly as the reproduction unit 125 of the functional configuration,the speaker 216 can be made to function similarly as the output unit 126of the functional configuration, and the display processing unit 217 anddisplay 218 can be made to function similarly as the display unit 128 ofthe functional configuration.

Accordingly, in the data storage reproduction apparatus 200 in thefourth embodiment, by employing the hardware configuration shown in FIG.19, various functions by the functional configuration in the first tothird embodiments can be realized. Thus, effects similar to those in thefirst to third embodiments can be obtained.

The input device of the data storage reproduction apparatus 200 may beany one of a touch panel, a keyboard, and a mouse. Furthermore, thecommunication connection means of the data storage reproductionapparatus 200 may be any one of the wireless communication processingunit 211 and antenna 212, and external connection processing unit 213and external connection interface 214.

On the other hand, in a portable type storage reproduction apparatus 300shown in FIG. 20, the functional configuration of the portable typestorage reproduction apparatuses 12 and PA in the first to thirdembodiments are realized by hardware configuration. When an input device301 composed of a key or a button is operated by the user, the inputdevice 301 recognizes the operation, and sends an operation input signalcorresponding to the operation to an input processing unit 302. Theinput processing unit 302 performs predetermined processing for thussupplied operation input signal to convert the operation input signal toan operation command, and sends the operation command to a CPU 304through a bus 303.

The CPU 304 reads out various programs such as a basic program or anapplication program stored in a ROM 305 or a hard disc drive 306 inadvance to a RAM 307 through the bus 303. Then, the CPU 304 controls theentire apparatus in accordance with the various programs expanded on theRAM 307, and executes predetermined arithmetic processing and variousprocessing corresponding to an operation command sent from the inputprocessing unit 302.

Specifically, the CPU 304 is connected for communication with anexternal device (for example, the data storage reproduction apparatus 11or 111) by radio through a wireless communication processing unit 308and an antenna 309 in series as necessary, and transmits and receivesvarious data to and from the external device.

Furthermore, the CPU 304 is connected for communication with an externaldevice (for example, the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 or 111)through an external connection processing unit 310 and an externalconnection interface 311 in series as necessary, and transmits andreceives various data to and from the external device.

In this way, data (for example, music data) which is transmitted andreceived to and from the external device is stored in the hard discdrive 306, and is read out as necessary.

Furthermore, for example, when an operation input signal that designatesso that music data stored in the hard disc drive 306 is reproduced isinput through the input device 301 by the user, the CPU 304 reads outspecified music data from the hard disc drive 306 through the inputdevice 301, and sends thus read out music data to an audio processingunit 312 through the bus 303. The audio processing unit 312 performs theaudio processing such as the decode processing, digital-to-analogconversion processing, and amplification processing for the music data,and sends thus obtained music signal to an earphone 313. As a result,the earphone 313 outputs music based on the music signal.

Furthermore, at this time, the CPU 304 reads out related information ofmusic data which is designated to be reproduced from the hard disc drive306, and sends thus read out related information to a display processingunit 314 through the bus 203. The display processing unit 314 displaystune name, artist name, reproduction elapse time, etc. based on therelated information on a display 315.

On the other hand, in the portable type storage reproduction apparatus300, since the CPU 304 executes various processing in accordance withvarious programs stored in the ROM 305 or hard disc drive 306 inadvance, according to various functions and processing to be executed ofthe portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 (FIG. 9) of thefunctional configuration in the above-described first and secondembodiments, by arbitrarily selecting various programs to be stored inthe ROM 305 or hard disc drive 306, the CPU 304 can be made to functionsimilarly as the control unit 30 of the functional configuration, theinput device 301 and input processing unit 302 can be made to functionsimilarly as the operation unit 33 of the functional configuration, thehard disc drive 306 can be made to function similarly as the storageunit 32 of the functional configuration, the external connectionprocessing unit 310 and external connection interface 311 can be made tofunction similarly as the external connection unit 31 of the functionalconfiguration, the audio processing unit 312 can be made to functionsimilarly as the reproduction unit 34 of the functional configuration,the earphone 313 can be made to function similarly as the output unit 35of the functional configuration, and the display processing unit 314 anddisplay 315 can be made to function similarly as the display unit 36 ofthe functional configuration.

Furthermore, similarly, in the portable type storage reproductionapparatus 300, according to various functions and processing to beexecuted of the portable type storage reproduction apparatus PA (FIG.17) of the functional configuration in the above-described thirdembodiment, by arbitrarily selecting various programs to be stored inthe ROM 305 or hard disc drive 306, the CPU 304 can be made to functionsimilarly as the control unit 130 of the functional configuration, theinput device 301 and input processing unit 302 can be made to functionsimilarly as the operation unit 133 of the functional configuration, thehard disc drive 306 can be made to function similarly as the storageunit 132 of the functional configuration, the wireless communicationprocessing unit 308 and antenna 309 can be made to function similarly asthe radio communication unit 131 of the functional configuration, theaudio processing unit 312 can be made to function similarly as thereproduction unit 134 of the functional configuration, the earphone 313can be made to function similarly as the output unit 135 of thefunctional configuration, and the display processing unit 314 anddisplay 315 can be made to function similarly as the display unit 136 ofthe functional configuration.

Accordingly, in the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 300 inthe fourth embodiment, by employing the hardware configuration shown inFIG. 20, various functions by the functional configuration in the firstto third embodiments can be realized. Thus, effects similar to those inthe first to third embodiments can be obtained.

On the other hand, the communication connection means of the portabletype storage reproduction apparatus 300 may be any one of the wirelesscommunication processing unit 308 and antenna 309, and externalconnection processing unit 310 and external connection interface 311.

In the fourth embodiment, the CPU 204 of the data storage reproductionapparatus 200 executes various processing in accordance with variousprograms stored in the ROM 205 or hard disc drive 206 in advance, towhich the present invention is not restricted, and there may be employeda configuration in which various programs have been recorded in arecording medium such as a Compact Disc (CD) or a Digital Versatile Disc(DVD), and the CPU 204 executes various processing in accordance withthe various programs read out from the recording medium by the drive208, or various programs may be installed to the hard disc drive 206from the recording medium to be executed.

As for the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 300, similarly,there may be employed a configuration in which various programs havebeen recorded in a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD, and the CPU303 executes various processing in accordance with the various programsread out from the recording medium, or various programs may be installedto the hard disc drive 306 from the recording medium to be executed.

(5) Other Embodiments

In the above-described first embodiment, when the data storagereproduction apparatus 11 is connected for communication with theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12, with respect to anoperation of one-clicking the folder icon Fi, a command of transferringmusic data stored in a folder corresponding to the folder icon Fi to theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 is allocated, to whichthe present invention is not restricted, and, with respect to anoperation of one-clicking the folder icon Fi, a command of transferringmusic data stored in a folder corresponding to the folder icon Fi to theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12, and receivingpredetermined music data (for example, music data which is not stored inthe folder) from the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 tostore thus received music data in the folder may be allocated.

Next, the data transmission/reception processing procedure in this casewill be explained using a flowchart shown in FIG. 21. The datatransmission/reception processing procedure is the procedure ofprocessing to be executed mainly by the control unit 20, commandallocation unit 22, and detection unit 28 of the data storagereproduction apparatus 11.

For example, when power is on, in step SP110 of the datatransmission/reception processing procedure RT4, the detection unit 28of the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 detects whether or not thedata storage reproduction apparatus 11 is connected for communicationwith the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 through thecommunication cable 13 from the external connection unit 25B. In casethe negative result is obtained in step SP110, this represents that thedata storage reproduction apparatus 11 is not connected forcommunication with the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12,and the detection unit 28 ends the data transmission/receptionprocessing procedure RT4.

On the other hand, in case the positive result is obtained in stepSP110, this represents that the data storage reproduction apparatus 11is connected for communication with the portable type storagereproduction apparatus 12, and the detection unit 28 notifies thecommand allocation unit 22 of this state.

When receiving the notification that the data storage reproductionapparatus 11 is connected for communication with the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus 12 from the detection unit 28, in thefollowing step SP111, with respect to an operation input of one-clickingthe folder icon Fi arranged on the GUI screen Gw, the command allocationunit 22 allocates a command of transferring music data stored in afolder corresponding to the folder icon Fi to the portable type storagereproduction apparatus 12, and receiving predetermined music data (forexample, music data which is not stored in the folder) from the portabletype storage reproduction apparatus 12 to store thus received music datain the folder.

When allocating the command is completed by the command allocation unit22, in the following step SP112, the control unit 20 determines whetheror not the folder icon Fi is one-clicked through the touch panel 14Abased on an operation input sent from the operation input unit 21.

In case the positive result is obtained in step SP112, this representsthat the folder icon Fi is one-clicked by the user, and the control unit20 goes to step SP113. In step SP113, the control unit 20 reads outmusic data stored in a folder corresponding to the one-clicked foldericon Fi from the storage unit 24, and transfers thus read out music datato the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 from the externalconnection unit 25B, and receives predetermined music data (for example,music data which is not stored in the folder) from the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus 12 through the external connection unit25B to store thus received music data in the folder, ending the datatransmission/reception processing procedure RT4.

On the other hand, in case the negative result is obtained in theabove-described step SP112, this represents that the folder icon Fi hasnot been one-clicked yet, and the control unit 20 goes to step SP114. Instep SP114, the control unit 20 determines whether or not notificationthat the communication connection between the data storage reproductionapparatus 11 and the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 iscanceled is received from the detection unit 28.

In case the negative result is obtained in step SP114, this representsthat the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 and the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus 12 are still connected for communication,and then the control unit 20 returns to step SP112 again, and waits forthe folder icon Fi to be one-clicked.

On the other hand, in case the positive result is obtained in stepSP114, this represents that the communication connection between thedata storage reproduction apparatus 11 and the portable type storagereproduction apparatus 12 is canceled, and then the control unit 20 endsthe data transmission/reception processing procedure RT4.

In accordance with the data transmission/reception processing procedureRT4, the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 transmits/receives musicdata to and from the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12.

In this way, when the data storage reproduction apparatus 11 isconnected for communication with the portable type storage reproductionapparatus 12, by only making the user one-click the arbitrary foldericon Fi, music data stored in a folder corresponding to the folder iconFi can be transferred to the portable type storage reproductionapparatus 12, and predetermined music data can be received from theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 to be stored in thefolder.

Accordingly, for example, when music data which is not stored in afolder corresponding to the one-clicked folder icon Fi is received fromthe portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12, by only making theuser one-click the arbitrary folder icon Fi, the music data stored inthe folder and the music data stored in the storage unit 32 of theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 can be made identical(that is, synchronization can be obtained).

Furthermore, the embodiment is not restricted to this, and there may beemployed a configuration in which, with respect to an operation ofone-clicking the folder icon Fi at the time of connection, a command oftransferring music data stored in a folder corresponding to the foldericon Fi to the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 isallocated, and with respect to an operation of double-clicking thefolder icon Fi at the time of connection, a command of receivingpredetermined music data (for example, music data which is not stored inthe folder) from the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 andstoring thus received music data in the folder is allocated, and theseplural commands, one-click operation, and double-click operation may bearbitrarily combined.

Furthermore, there may be employed a configuration in which an operationunit (for example, a mouse) having at least two buttons is arranged onthe data storage reproduction apparatus 11 instead of the touch panel14A, and a command which is allocated to the one-click operation throughthe touch panel 14A is allocated to the one-click operation for onebutton (for example, the left button of the mouse) of the operationunit, while a command which is allocated to the double-click operationthrough the touch panel 14A is allocated to the one-click operation forthe other button (for example, the right button of the mouse) of theoperation unit. In this way, being restricted to an operation unithaving at least two or more buttons such as a mouse, inputting theabove-described plural commands can be realized by performing only theone-click operation for different buttons.

Furthermore, in the above-described first to third embodiments, byemploying the touch panel 14A, or the operation unit 112 being akeyboard and a mouse, a predetermined operation is performed by theuser, to which the present invention is not restricted, and there may beemployed a configuration in which an operation unit (for example, atouch pad) other than these is arranged on the data storage reproductionapparatuses 11 and 111, and the user is made to perform a predeterminedoperation using the operation unit.

Furthermore, in the above-described first to second embodiments, whenthe data storage reproduction apparatus 11 is connected forcommunication with the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12,when the arbitrary folder icon Fi is one-clicked, music data stored in afolder corresponding to the folder icon Fi is transferred to theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12 without condition, towhich the present invention is not restricted, and there may be employeda configuration in which, for example, the control unit 20 of the datastorage reproduction apparatus 11 determines whether or not respectivemusic data stored in a folder can be transferred to the portable typestorage reproduction apparatus 12, and only music data which can betransferred based on the determination is transferred.

Music data which is unable to be transferred is, for example, music datato which information (also referred to as entitlement information) thatpermits reproduction only by the data storage reproduction apparatus 11is attached, and, with respect to the music data, by not transferringthe music data to the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12,the music data can be prevented from being unfairly used.

On the other hand, with respect to music data to which entitlementinformation that permits reproduction only by the data storagereproduction apparatus 11 is attached (that is, music data which is notpermitted to be transferred to the portable type storage reproductionapparatus 12), for example, by inquiring a music delivery server, notshown, on a network NT to obtain entitlement information that permitsreproduction (that is, permits transfer) by the portable type storagereproduction apparatus 12, after obtaining the permission to transferthe music data, the control unit 20 may transfer the music data to theportable type storage reproduction apparatus 12. On the other hand, incase the accounting occurs when obtaining the entitlement informationthat permits reproduction by the portable type storage reproductionapparatus 12, the control unit 20 may perform the accounting processingwith a music delivery server on a network NT.

In this way, music data can be prevented from being unfairly used, andmusic data desired by the user can be surely transferred to the portabletype storage reproduction apparatus 12.

Furthermore, in the above-described third embodiment, among one or moreportable type storage reproduction apparatuses PA which are connectedfor communication by radio with the data storage reproduction apparatus111, music data is transferred to one portable type storage reproductionapparatus PA closest to the data storage reproduction apparatus 111, towhich the present invention is not restricted, and, among one or moreportable type storage reproduction apparatuses PA which are connectedfor communication by radio with the data storage reproduction apparatus111, when there exists one portable type storage reproduction apparatusPA which transmits a signal indicating that music data is to betransferred thereto, priority may be given to this portable type storagereproduction apparatus PA to transfer music data to this portable typestorage reproduction apparatus PA.

In this case, for example, when a predetermined button of the operationunit 112 is pressed by the user, the portable type storage reproductionapparatus PA transmits a signal indicating that music data is to betransferred thereto to the data storage reproduction apparatus 111.

In this way, desired music data can be surely transferred to the desiredportable type storage reproduction apparatus PA.

In the above-described first to third embodiments, as a symbolcorresponding to a data storage place, the folder icon Fi in the form ofa folder is displayed, to which the present invention is not restricted,and an icon, a button, an object in the form of other variousfigurations may be used so long as these are symbols corresponding to adata storage place.

Furthermore, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, thepresent invention is applied to the data storage reproductionapparatuses 11, 111, and 200 having a display unit (touch-panel-attacheddisplay unit 14, display unit 128, display 218), to which the presentinvention is not restricted, and the present invention may be applied toa data storage reproduction apparatus which does not have a displayunit, and is externally connected to a display unit through apredetermined cable.

Furthermore, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, thepresent invention is applied to a case in which music data istransmitted or transmitted/received between the data storagereproduction apparatuses 11, 111, 200 and the portable type storagereproduction apparatuses 12, PA, 300, to which the present invention isnot restricted, and the present invention may be applied to a case inwhich music data is transmitted or transmitted/received between the datastorage reproduction apparatus 11 and the data storage reproductionapparatus 11, or a case in which, for example, by providing the portabletype storage reproduction apparatus 12 with a function similar to thatof the data storage reproduction apparatus 11, music data is transmittedor transmitted/received between the portable type storage reproductionapparatus 12 and the portable type storage reproduction apparatus 12.

The present invention is not restricted to the above-described first tofourth embodiments and other embodiments which has been described here,and may be applied to a configuration which arbitrarily combines part orentirety of the first to fourth embodiments and other embodiments whichhas been described here, or may be applied to a configuration whicharbitrarily extracts part thereof. For example, the communicationconnection in the first embodiment may be replaced with thecommunication connection by radio in the third embodiment, thecommunication connection in the second embodiment may be replaced withthe communication connection by radio in the third embodiment, theoperation input in the third embodiment may be replaced with theoperation input in the first embodiment, the command allocation in thethird embodiment may be replaced with the command allocation in thesecond embodiment, and the change in the display figuration of thefolder icon Fi in the first embodiment may be combined to the thirdembodiment.

Furthermore, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments andother embodiments which has been described here, the present inventionis applied to the data storage reproduction apparatuses 11, 111, and 200which transmit or transmit/receive music data as data, to which thepresent invention is not restricted, and the present invention can beapplied to an apparatus which transmits or transmits/receives othervarious data other than music data such as audio data, image data,program data, and, specifically, widely applied to an apparatus whichprocesses other various data, or a personal computer, an audiocomponent, a DVD recorder, a hard disc recorder, etc.

The present invention can be widely utilized for an apparatus whichtransfers data.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a communication unitthat transmits/receives data to and from an external device; a detectionunit that detects communication connection with the external device bythe communication unit; an operation input unit that accepts anoperation input; a command allocation unit that, only when the detectionunit detects communication connection with the external device,allocates a data transmission command with respect to a one-clickoperation to a symbol corresponding to a data storage place of theapparatus to be displayed on a display unit, which is accepted by theoperation input unit, wherein, when communication connection with theexternal device is not detected by the detection unit, a datatransmission command with respect to the one-click operation is notallocated by the command allocation unit to the symbol corresponding tothe data storage place of the apparatus to be displayed on the displayunit; and a control unit that, when the operation input unit accepts theone-click operation to the symbol, in case the data transmission commandis allocated with respect to the one-click operation, controls so thatthe communication unit transmits data stored in the data storage placecorresponding to the symbol to the external device.
 2. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unitchanges the display figuration of the symbol to be displayed on thedisplay unit according to whether or not communication connection withthe external device is detected by the detection unit.
 3. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thecommunication unit starts communication connection with the externaldevice when the external device comes close thereto.
 4. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation inputunit accepts an operation input from a touch panel.
 5. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein plural data is storedin the data storage place.
 6. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the operation input unit accepts anoperation input when the display unit is touched.
 7. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the detectionunit detects communication connection with the external device, thecommand allocation unit allocates a data transmission command and a datareception command with respect to the one-click operation to the symbol,and in case the operation input unit accepts the one-click operation tothe symbol, when the data transmission command and data receptioncommand are allocated to the one-click operation, the control unitcontrols the communication unit to transmit data stored in the datastorage place corresponding to the symbol to the external device, andreceive data from the external device to store thus received data in thedata storage place corresponding to the symbol.
 8. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the detectionunit detects communication connection with the external device, thecommand allocation unit allocates a data reception command with respectto a two-click operation to the symbol, and in case the operation inputunit accepts the two-click operation to the symbol, when the datareception command is allocated to the two-click operation, the controlunit controls the communication unit to receive data from the externaldevice to store thus received data in the data storage placecorresponding to the symbol.
 9. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein in case the operation input unit acceptsthe one-click operation to the symbol, when the data transmissioncommand is allocated to the one-click operation, the control unitdetermines whether or not data stored in the data storage placecorresponding to the symbol can be transmitted to the external device,and controls the communication unit so that only data which can betransmitted based on the determination is transmitted to the externaldevice.
 10. An information processing method comprising: a detectionstep of detecting communication connection with an external device; acommand allocation step of, only when communication connection with theexternal device is detected in the detection step, allocating a datatransmission command with respect to a one-click operation to a symbolcorresponding to a data storage place of other than the external deviceto be displayed on a display unit, which is accepted by an operationinput unit, and, when communication connection with the external deviceis not detected in the detection step, a data transmission command withrespect to the one-click operation is not allocated to the symbolcorresponding to the data storage place of other than the externaldevice to be displayed on the display unit; and a transmission step of,when the operation input unit accepts the one-click operation to thesymbol, in case the data transmission command is allocated with respectto the one-click operation, transmitting data stored in the data storageplace corresponding to the symbol to the external device.
 11. Aninformation processing program that makes an information processingapparatus execute the steps comprising: a detection step of detectingcommunication connection between a communication unit and an externaldevice; a command allocation step of, only when communication connectionwith the external device is detected in the detection step, allocating adata transmission command with respect to a one-click operation to asymbol corresponding to a data storage place of the apparatus to bedisplayed on a display unit, which is accepted by an operation inputunit, and, when communication connection with the external device is notdetected in the detection step, a data transmission command with respectto the one-click operation is not allocated to the symbol correspondingto the data storage place of the apparatus to be displayed on thedisplay unit; and a transmission step of, when the operation input unitaccepts the one-click operation to the symbol, in case the datatransmission command is allocated with respect to the one-clickoperation, transmitting data stored in the data storage placecorresponding to the symbol to the external device from thecommunication unit.